Former X-Men star Henoc Muamba makes NFL’s Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis Colts linebacker Henoc Muamba (51), who played Canadian university football for the St. F.X. X-Men in Antigonish, N.S., is shown in preseason NFL action. Muamba made the NFL team’s roster. (FRANK FRANKLIN II / The Associated Press)

A little piece of AUS football will show up in the opening day lineup of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts.

Former St. Francis Xavier X-Men linebacker Henoc Muamba of Mississauga, Ont., was named to the 53-man roster on Saturday as NFL teams had to make their final cuts.

The Colts cut 17 players — including four linebackers — to get to the magic number. Indianapolis opens next Sunday on the road against the Denver Broncos.

“It’s definitely something I’ve always dreamed about,” Muamba said in an interview at the time he was signed in February.

“To be able to get to this situation is definitely a blessing and just a testament that hard work, perseverance and belief definitely pays off.”

Muamba will be the first AUS graduate to play in the NFL since Halifax’s Steve Morley, an offensive lineman at Saint Mary’s, played special teams for the New York Jets in 2005.

Former Acadia receiver Jerome Pathon, a B.C. native who was CIS rookie of the year in his one season with the Axemen in 1993, also wrapped up his NFL career with the Atlanta Falcons in the 2005 season.

After three seasons with the Winnipeg Bue Bombers, who selected him first overall in 2011, the 25-year-old Muamba signed with the Colts.

He made an early impression on the Indianapolis coaching staff, recording 10 tackles and a forced fumble in the Colts’ pre-season opener against the Jets.

Strong and quick, the six-foot, 242-pound Muamba is considered a sideline-to-sideline defender. He’s an adept pass rusher with the athleticism to cover a receiver.

It’s not surprising the Colts gave him his chance. The team has a history of plucking players, especially linebackers, from the CFL.

Born in Congo, Muamba didn’t take up football until he was 16. He didn’t want to get hurt and preferred basketball.

He didn’t become a linebacker until he played with the X-Men, where he was joined by brother, Cauchy. Cauchy Muamba, a defensive back, is with the Edmonton Eskimos.

Henoc Muamba played four seasons for the X-Men and was named the top defensive player in the CIS in 2010. He was a three-time all-Canadian and the top defensive player in the AUS twice.

In his three seasons with Winnipeg, he posted 171 tackles, 53 special teams stops, four sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery returned for a touchdown.

This past season, he was named the top Canadian in the East Division and was also named a CFL all-star.

In 2013, he played in all 18 games for Winnipeg, ranking second overall in the league with 106 tackles. He also had 18 special teams stops, one sack and one interception.

The Blue Bombers awarded Muamba with the 2013 Ed Kotowich ‘Good Guy’ Award, recognizing a Blue Bomber for excellence in football ability, team camaraderie and extraordinary effort in the community.